Focusing adjustment apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for adjusting the focus of an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The imaging apparatus includes a lens assembly which is attached to focus adjustment apparatus. The focus adjustment apparatus includes a pair of parallel flat springs attached at one end to a member supporting the lens assembly and an adjusting mechanism operative to cause the attached lens assembly to be moved so that the lens assembly moves in small increments while remaining perpendicular to the image being scanned.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A focus adjustment apparatus for adjusting the focus of an imaging apparatus, said imaging apparatus comprising a lens assembly in communication with said focus adjustment apparatus, said focus adjustment apparatus comprising: a. at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs, each of said springs having a first end in communication with a support member and a second end in communication with said lens assembly; and   b. an adjusting mechanism in operative communication with at least one of said at least pair of substantially parallel flat springs at said second end thereof, thereby to cause said lens assembly to be moved substantially perpendicularly to the image being scanned by said imaging apparatus.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said focus adjustment apparatus further comprises an open box-like structure having four sides, said box-like structure including: i. a said support member in communication with said first end of said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs; and   ii. a restraining member in communication with said lens assembly and said second end of said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support member is in communication with a movable base. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises: a. a stepper motor in communication with said movable base; and   b. a moving member in operative communication with said stepper motor.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said stepper motor is configured for moving in steps of ±0.001 mm. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said restraining member comprises a "U"-shaped element having nibs at each end and wherein said moving member is contiguous with at least one of said nibs. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said restraining member is of greater flexibility than said support member. 
     
     
       8. A printing system comprising; a. a printing member mounted on to printing support means:   b. at least one laser source that produces a focusing output;   c. a lens assembly for guiding the output of said at least one laser source to focus on said printing member;   d. focus adjustment apparatus for adjusting the focus of said lens assembly, said focus adjustment apparatus comprising at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs, each of said springs having a first end in communication with a support member and a second end in communication with said lens assembly; and   e. means for causing relative movement between said lens assembly and said print support means to effect a scan of said printing member by said laser source output.   
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one laser source includes at least one infra red laser diode. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one infra red laser diode includes a plurality of infra-red laser diodes, each of said plurality of laser diodes for coupling with said at least one corresponding optical fiber, said optical fibers transporting said focusing output and aligned at a distance from said printing member. 
     
     
       11. A printing system comprising: a. a printing member mounted on to printing support means;   b. at least one laser source that produces a focusing output;   c. a lens assembly for guiding the output of said at least one laser source to focus on said printing member; and   d. focus adjustment apparatus for adjusting the focus of said lens assembly; said focus adjustment apparatus comprising: a. an open box-like structure having four sides, said open box-like structure comprising: i. a support member;   ii. a restraining member in communication with said lens assembly; and   iii. at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs, each of said springs having a first end in communication with said support member and a second end in communication with said restraining member; and     b. an adjusting mechanism in operative communication with at least one of said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs at said second end thereof, thereby to cause said lens assembly to be moved.     
     
     
       12. The system of claim 11, wherein said support member is in communication with a movable base and wherein said lens assembly is movable along an axis substantially parallel to said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 12, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises: a. a stepper motor in communication with said support member; and   b. a moving member in operative communication with said stepper motor.   
     
     
       14. The system of claim 13, wherein said stepper motor is configured for moving in steps of ±0.001 mm. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 13, wherein said restraining member comprises a "U"-shaped element having nibs at each end and wherein said moving member is contiguous with at least one of said nibs. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 11, wherein said restraining member is of greater flexibility than said support member. 
     
     
       17. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one laser source includes at least one infra red laser diode. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim 17, wherein said at least one infra red laser diode includes a plurality of infra-red laser diodes, each of said plurality of laser diodes for coupling with said at least one corresponding optical fiber, said optical fibers transporting said focusing output and aligned at a distance from said printing member. 
     
     
       19. A printing system comprising: a. a printing member mounted on to printing support means said printing support means includes a drum;   b. at least one laser source that produces a focusing output;   c. a lens assembly for guiding the output of said at least one laser source to focus on said printing member; and   d. focus adjustment apparatus for adjusting the focus of said lens assembly, said focus adjustment apparatus comprising at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs, each of said springs having a first end in communication with a support member and a second end in communication with said lens assembly.   
     
     
       20. A method for adjusting the focus of an imaging apparatus, said imaging apparatus comprising a lens assembly, said method comprising the steps of: attaching a focus adjustment apparatus to said lens assembly, said focus adjustment apparatus comprising at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs, each of said springs having a first end in communication with a support member and a second end in communication with said lens assembly; and   actuating at least one of said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs to move thereby to cause said lens assembly to move substantially perpendicularly to said at least a pair of substantially parallel flat springs.   
     
     
       21. The method of claim 20 wherein said actuating step comprises the step of adjusting said lens assembly in steps of ±0.001 mm. 
     
     
       22. The system of claim 19, wherein said at least one laser source includes at least one infra red laser diode. 
     
     
       23. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least one infra red laser diode includes a plurality of infra red laser diodes, each of said plurality of laser diodes for coupling with said at least one corresponding optical fiber, said optical fibers transporting said focusing output and aligned at a distance from said printing member.